World Cup nation sack manager just days into tournament

A World Cup nation's manager has been sacked just days into the tournament.

Despite the tournament getting underway on June 11, one nation's association has made a huge call just hours after losing their opening game of the World Cup.

On Monday (June 15), Graham Potter's Sweden put Tunisia to the sword, running out 5-1 winners thanks to strikes from Brighton's Yasin Ayari (2), Liverpool's Alexander Isak, Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres and Wolfsburg midfielder Mattias Svanberg. Omar Rekik scored Tunisia's consolation goal.

Despite the North Africans still having two Group F matches to play - against Japan and the Netherlands - a decision has been made to sack head coach Sabri Lamouchi.

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Spain-based journalist Romain Molina confirmed the news via X, writing: "It's the end for Sabri Lamouchi at the helm of the Tunisian national team."

British journalist Ben Jacobs then suggested the "news will be confirmed in the next hours" before adding: "Mondher Kebaier is expected to take over."

Kebaier managed the side between 2019 and 2022.

Lamouchi, who previously took charge of British clubs Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City, only managed five Tunisia matches, having started in the role in January.

Following the defeat to Sweden, reports from Tunisian radio station Mosaique FM surfaced suggesting there had been an altercation between Lamouchi’s son and a supporter.

When pressed on the matter, the 54-year-old said: “As a father, I'll answer you first, and it’s also the coach who’ll answer you.

“I’m sure there are family connections here, but my son plays no part in the selection process.

“When I say there were five players there, he’s there, he’s working on his thesis, he has no official role, and he’s no longer on the pitch. And right now, as we speak, he’s not here; he’s feeling awkward.

“Do you know where he is? He’s with his grandmother, my mother and my sister, because yesterday was Eid, so my mother came to visit. Are you going to criticise me for having my mother stay at the hotel as well?

“Let’s be serious and make sure we ask the right questions and do our best to look after our interests, because what’s in your interests: is it to argue about something that’s not worth arguing about, or is it to focus on how Austria will play, how Belgium will play and how we’ll prepare for Sweden?

“Like all of you, I really want us to reach the second round.

“You think I will answer questions about what is said on social media?”

Tunisia return to action against Japan on June 21. Despite qualifying for the World Cup seven times - 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022, and 2026 - the nation have never progressed past the group stage.